<form>
    <b>Select a country:</b>&nbsp;
    <select name="sel">
        <option value=""><---Select---></option>
        <option value="One">1</option>
        <option value="Two">2</option>
    </select>

    <input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
<%
            String sel = request.getParameter("sel");
            String msg = "<font color = 'blue'>You have selected item '" + sel + "'</font>";
            if (sel == null || sel.equals("")) {
                msg = "<font color = 'red'>You haven't selected any item</font>";
            }
%>
<br/><%=msg%>